Paleoanthropology

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Paleoanthropologists study early hominins through fossil remains, traces, or impressions of ancient life; evidence such as preserved bones, tools, or footprints. Typically, a team is composed of scientists, students, and local workers, representing diverse backgrounds and academic fields.

Many workers have been criticized for not allowing other paleoanthropologists to examine their fossil finds. As Ian Tattersall notes (writing in 2006 Nature volume 441:155), paleoanthropology is distinguished as the "branch of science [that] keeps its primary data secret."